This document provides guidance for students on preparing for an exam question on representation. It includes: 1) An overview of the aims and objectives, which are to review prior learning on representation, introduce new relevant theories, deconstruct an exemplar answer, and do a practice question. 2) Details on representation theory the students should apply, including from Berger, Mulvey, Dyer, and Saussure. 3) Instructions for students to analyze how the theories apply to their own coursework, using specific examples from each media product. 4) Feedback on a strong exemplar answer, noting strengths and areas for improvement. 5) A reminder of homework to complete their representation answer and

1. L4 –
Section A – Question 1 b)
Representation and Preparation
Wednesday 7th May 2014
Unit G325: Critical Perspectives in
Media

2. Why?
Aims & Objectives
• Re-cap prior learning in relation to what is
expected of you for this Section of the exam.
• Go through the Key Concept Representation and
establish and introduce some new theories YOU
SHOULD apply in the exam IF you get a question
for Genre.
• Deconstruct an Exemplar Representation answer
(Summer 2013)
• Plan and complete a Practice question on
Representation.
• Review the learning.
AO2
Apply knowledge
and understanding
to show how
meanings are
created when
analyzing media
products and
evaluating your own
practical work
(Section A)

3. Unit G325 – Question 1 b)
YOU SHOULD refer to your A2 Production as this is more in depth in terms of the Products
(Main & Ancillary) that you can refer to.

4. This will be different
dependent on what Question
you have to answer in the
exam.

5. Representation –
Where does John Berger’s “Men act, women appear” theory apply?
Does the text(s) provide a “window into the World” (Wendy Helsby) of gender roles
within society OR does I challenge these stereotypical, one dimensional views?
What “signs” act as “signifiers” (Ferdinand De Saussure) to the audience in relation to the
character roles/themes and issues presented in the text(s) you produced?
Other Key terms/theory:
Does the representation of gender roles encourage a ‘male gaze’ (Laura Mulvey) towards
the female character(s) and/or a ‘female gaze’ (Diana Saco) towards the male
character(s)?
Hegemonic Cultural Stereotyping – Does this lead to passive consumption, whereby the
audience aspire to be like the characters on screen OR is this challenged due to the issues
presented in all 3 products?
This is theory YOU MUST apply in the exam IF you get a question for Representation.

6. Representation Theory
We are going to go through some Representation theory that WILL improve the
overall quality of an answer given for “analysing one of your coursework productions
in relation to the concept of Representation” – 25 Marks (OCR)

7. For further reading go to:
http://prezi.com/1eiul6n2vuka/unit-g325-section-a-theoretical-analysis-of-
production-wo/
Representation Theory

8. • Read through the
Theory within this
presentation.
• Refer to the
recommended slides
BELOW the presentation
to focus on:
Richard Dyer (1983)
Laura Mulvey (1975)
John Berger (1972)

9. • Open a NEW TAB with your Production work on display.
YOU MUST identify HOW the recommended theories apply to your own Production work
– for example:
The technical code of the establishing shot within the trailer -
“What sense of the World is it making?” (Dyer – 1983)
Is this something an audience would stereotypically expect from a Soap-Opera?
YOU SHOULD apply a Theory to EACH Media Product – for example Dyer (1983) = Trailer;
Mulvey (1975) = Poster; Berger (1972) = Poster
Extension – YOU COULD use another theory/area from the presentation as well as OR
instead IF you feel it’s relevant!

10. FEEDBACK

11. Analyse one of your coursework productions in relation to the concept of Representation
(25 marks)
YOU SHOULD designate no longer than 25-30 minutes answering this question
(dependent on how much planning you want to do for Section B).
1-2 Minutes – BRIEF Plan and Introduction
15 minutes – Main Task (Trailer) – 3-4 detailed examples and links to theory.
10 minutes – Ancillary Products – 2-3 detailed examples and links to theory.
1-2 minutes - Conclusion

12. Go to:
YOU MUST read the 91/100 Candidate Answer – The candidate achieved 20/25 for this
Question.
YOU SHOULD complete the following:
1) Make a note of 3 Strengths (WWW) within this answer – for example use of relevant
Theory; Examples they have provided; Use of Media language within their answer
2) Make note of 3 Areas that could have been developed in order to achieve a Higher
Mark (EBI) – For example relevance of the examples given

13. What you have learnt– Plenary
3 minutes
YOU MUST write down x1 thing
Representation theory we have
covered today that you have learnt.
YOU COULD give more than x1
example.

14. Homework:
1) Complete your Representation Answer (if it is incomplete)
1) Revise!
Due: Wednesday 30th April 2014 – Period 3